Friday, February 6, 2026
ADVT 
India

Disabled Have Divine Ability, Government Scheme In Guinness Records: Modi

Darpan News Desk IANS, 27 Dec, 2015 02:49 PM
    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said physically challenged people have a "divine ability" and urged people to change the way to address them.
     
    He also said the government's "Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme" has received a place in the Guinness World Records as the largest such scheme.
     
    The action plan of 'Start-up India, Stand-up India' will be launched on January 16, Modi said, as he greeted the nation on Christmas and New Year.
     
    Addressing the public in his last monthly radio address "Mann Ki Baat" for 2015, Modi said: "Start-up India, Stand-up India has brought new opportunity for the youth of our country. Be it manufacturing, service sector or agriculture, this new initiative will bring in new ideas, new ways, and new innovations." 
     
    "The action plan of 'Start-up India, Stand-up India' will be launched on January 16. A blueprint will be presented on that day," he said while extending his "greetings for Christmas and New Year to every citizen of India".
     
    Modi urged the public to change the way physically challenged people are addressed. 
     
    "We often address the physically challenged people as handicapped, disabled and specially-abled. But sometimes, when we get introduced to them, we get to know that they are endowed with 'extra power' which can't be seen with bare eyes," he said.
     
    "Then this idea came to my mind: why don't we use the term 'Divyang' (divine body) instead of 'Viklang' for the physically challenged people?"
     
     
    Modi said they are endowed with an ability which is divine. "Normal people like us are not gifted with such powers."
     
    On the government's "Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme", he said it has received a place in the record book as the largest direct benefit transfer scheme.
     
    "It gives me immense pleasure to announce that the Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme has recently found a place in the Guinness Book of World Records and it has been implemented successfully."
     
    As of now, already Rs.40,000 crore has been transferred to the accounts of the beneficiaries through different schemes, he said.
     
    "I believe about 35-40 schemes are being integrated with the direct benefit transfer scheme."
     
    Observing that there has been little discussion over fundamental duties in the country, Modi invited people's views on it by the Republic Day.
     
    "There is a lot of discussion on fundamental rights and there should be. But there is very little discussion on fundamental duties. Our Constitution gives importance to duties as well."
     
    He called on schools and colleges to hold essay-writing and poetry competitions on the topic "duties" before January 26. 
     
     
    Modi asked people to express their views on duties on the 'mygov.in' portal, so that he could learn what they think.
     
    He also said that before Republic Day, people should take on the task of cleaning up the statues of various personalities located in various cities, towns and villages.
     
    He also sought ideas from the youth about the 'National Youth Festival' that will commence on January 12, marking the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
     
    In his bid to reach out to the people, Modi invited people to connect with him by downloading the 'Narendra Modi App'.
     
    On cleanliness, he stressed the need to pay attention to tourist spots.
     
    "We must ensure cleanliness at tourist places," Modi said citing a letter by Ganesh V. Sawaleshwarkar from Pune.
     
    He said Ganesh raised a vital point on the importance of cleanliness at tourist places and pilgrimage sites.
     
    Modi welcomed Ganesh's suggestion, saying clean tourist spots will contribute to building a better image of India in the world. He said many foreigners come to visit the country during the festival season.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Elections In Bihar, Campaigning In Punjab To Woo Bihari Migrants

    Elections In Bihar, Campaigning In Punjab To Woo Bihari Migrants
    The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has high stakes in the Bihar polls, has initiated its "Chalo Bihar Abhiyan" in Punjab. It is urging people from Bihar living in Punjab, who are voters in their home state, to vote in Bihar.

    Elections In Bihar, Campaigning In Punjab To Woo Bihari Migrants

    Dadri Lynching: Cow Cannot Be Anyone’s Mother, It’s Just Another Animal, Says Justice Katju

    Dadri Lynching: Cow Cannot Be Anyone’s Mother, It’s Just Another Animal, Says Justice Katju
    The former Allahabad High Court judge strongly condemned the killing of the man in Dadri and demanded severe punishment to those involved in it.

    Dadri Lynching: Cow Cannot Be Anyone’s Mother, It’s Just Another Animal, Says Justice Katju

    Indian Super League: AR Rahman, Aishwarya Rai Steal Show In Opening Ceremony

    Indian Super League: AR Rahman, Aishwarya Rai Steal Show In Opening Ceremony
    The 45-minute programme was attended by, among others, Sachin Tendulkar, Rajnikanth, Mukesh and Nita Ambani, besides the Bachchan family.

    Indian Super League: AR Rahman, Aishwarya Rai Steal Show In Opening Ceremony

    Delhi's Beer Guzzlers, Foodies, Say 'Prost' To Oktoberfest

    Delhi's Beer Guzzlers, Foodies, Say 'Prost' To Oktoberfest
    This year, the festival, which kicked-off mid-September and will continue throughout October, is being celebrated by several pubs and micro-breweries in the Delhi/NCR region. 

    Delhi's Beer Guzzlers, Foodies, Say 'Prost' To Oktoberfest

    Watch Rare Videos: Mahatma Gandhi Remains A Dominant Historical Figure In The 21st Century

    There is a need for a new philosophy based on committed social action and a mass spiritual transformation accompanied by an intellectual process of a paradigm shift. We have to return to our moorings.

    Watch Rare Videos: Mahatma Gandhi Remains A Dominant Historical Figure In The 21st Century

    Delhi Woman Gitanjali Babbar Wins Flat Via Radio Show

    Delhi Woman Gitanjali Babbar Wins Flat Via Radio Show
    Geetanjali Babbar, who works relentlessly for improving the lives of children of sex workers in Delhi's infamous G.B. Road red light area, has won a flat through a radio contest.

    Delhi Woman Gitanjali Babbar Wins Flat Via Radio Show